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The first game of the 2021 NBA Playoffs has come to a close and the Miami Heat beat the Milwaukee Bucks 109-107 in overtime on Saturday. The sixth-seeded heat knocked the Bucks out of last year’s playoffs in the second round and overcame the odds as underdogs to begin their postseason run.
Jimmy Butler sent the game to overtime with a drive on Giannis Aneteokounmpo.
JIMMY BUTLER SCORES AS TIME EXPIRES TO FORCE OVERTIME IN GAME 1! @MiamiHEAT 99@Bucks 99#NBAPlayoffs on ESPN pic.twitter.com/ALgIvifRz4
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2021
Khris Middleton secured the win by sinking a midrange shot with half a second left, though.
KHRIS MIDDLETON CALLS GAME IN OT
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 22, 2021
Bucks go up 1-0 pic.twitter.com/C4fMoz7gy9
The Heat (+165) were 5-point underdogs at DraftKings Sportsbook and the public placed 89% of the handle for moneyline wagers on the Bucks (-200). Bettors placed 58% of the tickets on the point total over (226.5), but the defensive prowess of both sides led to a much lower score than expected.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the most dominant fantasy performer in the matchup and finished with 60.5 DKFP. He scored 26 points to go along with 18 rebounds and 5 assists. He was trailed by Middleton (48) and Butler (47) in fantasy points.
Game 2 is set for Monday, May 24. Milwaukee will look to improve to 2-0 before making the trip to Miami for Game 3.